Snap switch



Nov. l7, 19 31. H. o. ENGSTROM SNAP swx'r'cn v Filed April 1, 1930 ATTORNEY INVENTOR L ugh f? P. v. 5m P FLEEAQ 2 M 5% a,

Patented" Nov. 1 7 I HENRY ENGSTROM, OF BRIDGE-PORT, SWITCH CO.,' INC., 01 BRIDGEPORT, CUT

CONli'ECTICUT, ASSIGNOB TO THE BRIDGEPORT CONNECTICUT, A CORBQBATION OF CONNECTI- SNAP sw ms Application filed April 1, 1930. Serial No. 440,653.

This invention relates to a novel and improved form of, snap switch, the novel fea-' tures of which will be best understood from the following description and the annexed drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a view of the switch from What I shall term the top thereof; Fig. 2 is a section onthe line 2-2 of Fig- 3; Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 2; Fi'g. 4. is a section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3 and showing the parts in a different position fromwhat they occupy in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5 -5 of Fig.3

Fig. 6 is a view corresponding to Fig. 2, but showing a different form, of the invention; Fig. 7 is a viewon the line 77 of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is an exploded view of a switch showing the relation of the principal parts of the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive. g

' Referring first to 1to 5,,inclusive, the switch-comprises a base 1 of insulating material on which is supported the switch mechanism, this mechanism being covered by a cover plate 2. For the sake of convenience I'shall refer to this plate as being on top of the base. although it is to be understood that this expression 'is merely relative, as the switch may be used in any position either horizontal, vertical or otherwise.

A basefis provided. with a centrallydisposed recess 3 having on opposite walls there.-

.of-bearings 4 for the arms 5 of a ivoted member 6..having contacts 7 electrica ly connected together and each adapted to engage one of the contacts 8 on the base. These con-- tacts 8 are eachelectrically connected to binding posts 9 which are adapted to receivethe usual flexible conductors and therefore the switch is closed when the member 6 is in the position shown in Fig. 4,. wherein the contacts 8 are bridged by the member and more specifically by the contacts 7,-which are elecr g :move about a horizontal pivot and the-opentrically connected together by the member 7 Similarly when the member 6 is moved to thein Figs. 2 and 3 the switch position indicated [lhepivoted bearings 4 are preferably arhorizontally so that the member 6 will ating means for this movement comprises a whereby upon ber 6 will be sliding bar 10 which is slidably supported in ears 11 depending from a horizontal plate 12, this plate-being thus disposed substantiaL- ly parallel to the pivot of the member 6. The bar 10 has depending therefrom an ear 13, as best shown in Fig. 8 and this ear isconnected to a spring 14 which has its other end bearing against the member 6,. the spring having received in this other end the projection 15 on the member 6. This arrangement constitutes .a toggle,

sliding of the bar 10 the memoperated through the spring 14. The spring will be first compressed. and,

then will snap the switch member 6 from one position to the other. The actuating mechanism for the movement of the bar 10 coinshaft 17 which passes through a collar 18 on the plate 12. The shaft lZ has a portion.19. tohwhich is secured an operating button 20.

The cam,16 is received in a recess 21 formed in the top of thebar 10 and is normally in substantially constant engagement with the.op-

posite walls of this recess. By this arrange ment it will be seen that rotation of the shaft 17in either direction will result in operation of the switch through the sliding of the bar 10. .The bar may be provided with a plate 22 which is shown as being secured to one end of the bar and bent upwardly so as to extend above the plate 12. This plate 22 has thereon the indications FOtf and. On and these indicationswill be locatedbeneath a hole 23 plate 2 to show the position of in the cover the switch.

prises a cam 16 mountedon an actuating 'In Figs. 6 and 7 I have shown a slight modie I fication which corresponds closely to the embodiment just described, exceptthat here the M24 and 25 and the member adapted to bridge these contacts is shown at 26. This member has two arms, each adapted to engage one of the contacts 24 and 25 when inst-he position shown in Fig; 6 and adapted to be moved out of that position to open the switch.

In other respects this embodiment corre-' sponds closely to. the one first described and similar numerals of reference are used to indicate like parts. The member 26'issecured contacts which are to be bridged are'she'wn 9 to a pivot member 6 corresponding in all respects to the member 6 shown in Figsr2 to 5, inclusive, except in the way in whlch the contacts are secured thereto.

I claim:

1. In a snap switch, a base having spaced contacts thereon, a member pivoted on the base and adapted in one position to bridge said contacts, aplate mounted on the base substantially parallel to the plane of the pivot, a bar slidably supported on the'plate T and having a recess in one edge thereof, a shaft rotatably mounted on said plate at right angles thereto, and a cam on said shaft received within said recess and engaging the walls thereof. v 4 p 2. Ina snap switch, abase having spaced contacts thereon, a member pivoted on the base and adapted in one position to. brid e 29 said contacts, a plate mounted on the base su stantially parallel to the plane of the pivot, ears on theplate extending towards the base and having openings therein, a bar slidably mounted in said openings, a spring connect} ingsaidbar tosaid member and adapted to move the member on its pivot upon movement of thebar, a shaft extending through said plate perpendicular to said bar,a cam on the end of the shaft and disposed in a recess 30 in said bar, and means to rotate the shaft.

3. In a snap switch, a base having spaced contacts thereon, a member pivoted on the ba-,;e and-adapted ,in one position to bridge said contacts, a plate mounted on the base substantially parallel to the plane of the pivot, ears on the plate extending towards the base andhavingopenings therein, a bar slidably mounted in said openings, aspring' con- .necting said bar to said member and adapted to move the member on its pivot upon movement of the bar,- a shaft extending through said plate perpendicular to said bar acam on the end of the shaft and disposed in a re-' cess in said bar, and means to rotate the shaft,

a cover through which said shaft passes and having a part parallel to said bar, and an indicatingplate on the bar and disposed ber tween the cover and saidfirst-named plate and havingindieationsthereon movable into and out of registry .with an opening in the cover. I. p HENRY o. ENGSTROM. 

